The Oyo State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES) at the end of 2025 organised a capacity-building training on peace and conflict mitigation for its staff, as part of efforts to ensure smooth project implementation across communities in the state.
The training took place at the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) building, Total Garden, Ibadan.
Facilitating the session was Mr. Kunle Akande, the Social Safeguard Officer for the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-PRES). He explained that the training was designed to equip project staff with practical knowledge and skills to manage and resolve conflicts that may arise in the course of implementing project activities.
According to Akande, peace and conflict mitigation is critical to the success of L-PRES, especially as project sites are often located in areas where competing interests among livestock farmers could lead to disputes.
“As far as this project is concerned, there is a need for peace and conflict mitigation wherever our project sites are located. There may be clashes of interest among livestock farmers in the state, and equipping project staff with the right concepts will help them address issues effectively while carrying out their duties in the field,” he said.
Participants at the training acknowledged that conflicts had been encountered during project implementation but noted that dialogue and mediation had been effective tools in resolving such issues.
Dr. Engr. Peter Kolawole, an agricultural engineer and Project Engineer for Oyo L-PRES, described the training as timely and impactful.
“In project implementation, you are bound to encounter conflicts, and many of us do not always know how to handle them. This training has exposed us beyond my imagination, teaching us how to resolve conflicts within the project team and with host communities for effective project delivery,” he said.
Kolawole added that collaboration and constant engagement with stakeholders had been key strategies in resolving conflicts encountered so far.
Similarly, Mr. Simeon Ademola Adeniyi, Extension and Advisory Services Officer of Oyo L-PRES, shared his field experience, citing conflicts related to resources and personal interests in areas such as Iwajowa and Iseyin.
“Through dialogue and meetings with community elders, we were able to resolve Fulani clashes. In cases of resource conflict, such as water scarcity in Iwajowa, the provision of a borehole helped restore peace,” he explained.
Adeniyi emphasised the importance of peace to project success, noting that “peace is a business friend, while conflict is a business enemy.”
He expressed confidence that the training would have a positive impact on project outcomes in the state.
“Learning is a continuous process. With what I learnt today, I believe we will be better equipped to handle conflicts in the field, and this will greatly contribute to the success of the project in Oyo State,” he added.
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